Kanye, will.i.am, more remix for Thriller anniversary

Thriller's legacy? It was a killer set, plain and simple. When your album has "Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" on it, of course it's going to get coated in 20-30 layers of platinum. The cultural relevance, publicity storm and extracurricular Jacko weirdness don't even factor into it. Although most of this album has become part of the pop canon, the record's upcoming 25th anniversary presents an opportunity to marvel at the craft of these songs once again.

Of course, it also presents an opportunity to buy the album in yet another repackaging job. But Epic/Legacy Recordings isn't phoning this new reissue in. When Thriller's 25th anniversary edition arrives in shops on Feb. 12, it'll come equipped with four big-name remixes as well as period rarities.

Billboard reports that will.i.am will have his fingerprints all over the bonus material, contributing to three remixes of Thriller material. The Black Eyed Pea retouches "The Girl Is Mine" (hopefully removing Paul McCartney's entire vocal track in the process), "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." The latter track includes vocal work from everyone's favorite guest singer, Akon. But the ultimate meeting of the musical minds should occur when Kanye West remixes "Billie Jean," which seems like a definite perfect storm scenario.

Finally, there's a DVD featuring Thriller's many iconic music videos and Jackson's moonwalking take on "Billie Jean" at Motown's own 25th anniversary shindig in 1983.

Here's the complete package tracklist, including Thriller outtakes "For All Time," "Carousel" and "Someone In The Dark":

1. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
2. "Baby Be Mine"
3. "The Girl Is Mine"
4. "Thriller"
5. "Beat It"
6. "Billie Jean"
7. "Human Nature"
8. "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
9. "The Lady in My Life"

Bonus tracks:
"Carousel"
"Someone in the Dark"
"Billie Jean" (demo)

Remixes:
"The Girl Is Mine 2008" with will.i.am
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008" with Michael Jackson and will.i.am
"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" with Michael Jackson, Akon and will.i.am
"Billie Jean 2008" with Kanye West
"For All Time"

Meanwhile, we're still waiting to hear more about the rumored Jackson 5 reunion tour. The ball's in Michael's court right now, it seems.

Related links:
MichaelJackson.com
Michael Jackson talks Thriller to Ebony
YouTube: Michael Jackson - "Thriller"

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